Manu du bac and his bikes join the inDeauville network
Sometimes it doesn't take much to make people's lives easier and happier... This is what Emmanuel Guillet has been doing for 35 years every day at high tide between Deauville and Trouville. On board his small boat, he takes passers-by from one shore to the other for the shortest crossing in France: 220 meters in about three minutes. An incessant round trip that has been going on since Deauville was built in 1860.
Emmanuel Guillet connects Trouville and Deauville with his boat in all weathers. He is also at the head of the Trouvillaises where all kinds of bikes are rented
Captain and tourist ambassador
On board the Petit Bac, people talk about the markets, the villas, the beach, the animations, the preserved environment of the cities, the shopping... as many reasons to cross in one way or the other. Tourists like to discover both sides of the banks of the Touques. Locals need it out of habit: the Petit Bac even offers a loyalty card. Even President Macron has one! Conversations are friendly and warm, many regulars give news about each other: a warm atmosphere that adds to the charm of a crossing. We almost hope it will last longer...
Emmanuel Guillet started out as a seasonal worker aboard the Petit Bac 35 years ago. After a few summers, he made it his job, then bought the Petit Bac from his boss. That was 26 years ago now. He speaks with pride of his double origin: Deauvillais for three generations by his father, a cabinetmaker, and Trouvillais for five generations by his mother from a long line of fishermen. A perfect profile for him who is the link all day long between the two towns.
For several years, the Petit Bac has found its extension on land with the Trouvillaises where you can rent all types of bicycles: from the famous rosalies, to electric bikes. With his team (4 on the Petit Bac and 6 at the Trouvillaises), Emmanuel also offers multiple tourist services à la carte, for families and groups of all sizes, up to 200. Discovery tours of the towns of Deauville and Trouville, themed rallies, or even games. At the service of hoteliers and any tourist structure, it provides bicycles easily and on demand.
We're excited about it...
A seasoned sportsman, Emmanuel Guillet takes small groups on his fat bikes (beach bikes with large tires) to discover the beaches at low tide between Trouville and Honfleur. Moments of emotion, discovery and sharing as inDeauville likes them.
A whole story
It is impossible not to evoke the history of the ferry and the numerous postcards published in memory of these joyful crossings throughout the century... As early as 1860, people tried to avoid the long detour they had to make to get from one town to another. The ferry or "water passage" known as the Cahotte between Trouville and Deauville has existed since the construction of Deauville and its casino, an attraction that had to be discovered by vacationers... The boats were often very full... At low tide, the principle of a footbridge was retained, which is still in effect today.
